Fair-Trade Peruvian Baby Alpaca Sweaters by ACHIY
Have you ever longed for that cherished sweater lovingly handmade by your grandma? I certainly have. However, for the less lucky we usually have to settle for the lower quality mass-produced imitations. But it does not need to be this way. Our recent discovery of ACHIY is an inspiring example of how passion for craft, a keen eye for quality, and a commitment to celebrate Peru’s rich cultural heritage can create unique high-quality sweaters that would make any grandma proud.
ACHIY: knitwear with a purpose
ACHIY is a Germany based-brand that takes social responsibility seriously and puts a lot of thought into ethical production policies as they create their knitwear designs. The brand has been dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of textile designs inspired by ancient traditions of the Andes as well as ensuring safe working conditions and fair wages for all their partners. All their garments are made from baby alpaca wool (which is the most ethical and cruelty-free wool option available) and have patterns or symbols that tell the story of friendship between the indigenous communities and their alpacas.
“Our knitters are artists. We consider each of our designs to be a work of art that is shaped by the lives, traditions and spirituality of our partners. So, it is simply a matter of course for us that we produce 100% in the country of origin. As we are guided by traditional production methods of indigenous people, all our pieces are carefully handmade.”
About Alpaca Wool
A longtime staple of Andean cultures, the alpaca has been used for its wool for over 6,000 years. The insider name for alpaca wool is also the “fleece of the gods”. The legendary softness arises from the special nature of the wool fibers and creates a uniquely warm, silky and soft skin feeling. Alpaca wool is also naturally antibacterial, stain resistant, doesn’t shrink or pill like sheep wool, wicks away moisture, is lightweight and resists wrinkling. Unlike wool, it never feels damp or holds a musty smell, and certainly never irritates skin or itches.
The highest quality of alpaca wool comes from the baby alpaca. The texture is even softer and therefore is better suited to creating clothing. The common misconception is that baby alpaca wool is obtained by shaving a baby alpaca while it actually comes from the first shave in an alpaca’s life. Baby alpaca products will always be more expensive than standard alpaca wool products and this is because the fibre is so much softer and also you can only get baby alpaca wool once in the animal’s lifetime.
Until you've owned a sweater from ACHIY, it's hard to believe how wonderful the baby alpaca sweaters really are. Whether it's that distinctive silky feel of alpaca fiber, or the way that they hold their shape and never pill, their alpaca pullovers are that rare combination of luxury and value.
Sourcing and Manufacturing
ACHIY is one of the is one of a handful of brands that disclose the information pertaining to their supply chain policies and practices and allows people to know who made their clothes and how they were made:
The main brand’s partner is Peruvian Traditions, founded by the siblings and now brand’s friends Carlos & Claudia Cordero, who support them in the entire manufacturing process of Baby Alpaca Sweaters. From the fine tuning of the designs, sourcing of the baby alpaca wool, supervision of the family production workshops up to the shipping to Hamburg.
The divinely soft baby alpaca wool is sourced from Michell Group in Peru which is a pioneer and the world’s leading manufacturer and exporter of alpaca yarns. Michell’s alpaca wool is certified by the International Alpaca Association. The yarns use biodegradable dyes and are therefore approved for international ecological standards and tested for harmful substances. Michell guarantees the highest industry standards and therefore has been awarded OEKO-TEX 100, Organic Content Standard and Global Organic Textile Standard.
Autumn/Winter collection ‘20/’21
